Su Yuwu’s birthday was the day after Empress Gu was informed of the lotus-picking girls. Madam Su specially came to congratulate Su Yuwu in person, which was just an excuse because Madam Su, as an aunt, didn’t need to specially go back to her family for her niece's eighteenth birthday. The real reason was that the last time Su Pingzhan commanded his descendants to stop struggling with each other, so Madam Su kept this matter in mind after hearing Wei Changying's words. She planned to take advantage of this time to come back and explain to his father in person, lest there would be grudges in two families.

If Madam Su went back to her family, her daughters-in-law would accompany her. But it was impractical for all of them to go together, so Madam Su left Mrs. Duanmu at home and brought Mrs. Liu and Wei Changying with her. Shen Cangning, who should have followed, was locked in her room because of the deception of Eleventh Prince last time. Madam Su thought that her daughter was not young anymore, but she was so immature that Madam Su decided to cultivate her temperament.

As for the young masters, Madam Su asked them to go to Su Mansion by themselves after they finished their duties. So she went out with the first and the third daughter-in-law. She had her reasons. Wei Changying’s lineal aunt was the third madam of the Su Family, and the third branch of the Su Family had a high chance of taking power in the future. So Madam Su brought Wei Changying because it could not only show solicitude for her daughter-in-law but also demonstrate her friendliness with her sister-in-law Wei Zhengyin.

Since Liu Ruoyu was given marriage to the Crown Princess, Mrs. Liu, as the first young madam, had finished the marriage of Count Xiangning mansion and felt depressed after returning to Xinyi Court. Later, she was reprimanded by Madam Su because of Pei Meiniang, so her spirits deteriorated day by day.

After all, she was the first daughter-in-law, whom Madam Su had taught by herself. These years, Mrs. Liu had been in charge of the family diligently. Even though she knew that her husband Shen Cangli, the eldest lineal son, had a less promising future than her brother-in-law Shen Cangfeng, she had never vented her depression on the family affairs or confided a discontented word in public. Seeing that she was so worried about her cousin of her maternal family and that Madam Su had just asked her to turn power over to Wei Changying, Madam Su would naturally pity the first daughter-in-law.

Therefore, Madam Su left the second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Duanmu, at home and specially brought the first daughter-in-law to the Su Family to make her relaxed.

The Su Family didn't hold the birthday ceremony grandly, so people didn't know that it was someone's birthday until entering the main room.

Old Madam Deng was very surprised when seeing her daughter come back, "Why do you come here in person?"

"Since I visited you last time, I haven't returned to see you for some days." Madam Su didn't want to tell the truth to her mother, so she said what her mother liked to hear, "I miss you, so I take the opportunity of Yuwu's birthday to come back and see you."

Hearing that, Old Madam Deng was pleased, but she said, "You are now the hostess of a family. Now you return to your maternal family for your niece's birthday and bring all the wives back. That is not good."

Madam Su smiled and said, "Mother, you know that I haven't been in charge of the family. Now my nieces and daughters-in-law have all married into our families, so they could handle the family affairs. Even if I didn't come back, I would have rested at home."

"You are so lucky that your daughters-in-law are virtuous and capable." Old Madam Deng was generous, and she always thought others to be good, except when she was angry. She had a good impression on the daughters-in-law of her daughter, Madam Su, so she praised them a bit. Seeing Mrs. Liu and Wei Changying, Old Madam Deng had to say something to them, but the first sentence she said made Mrs. Liu almost unable to smile, "It is said that your cousin was given marriage as Crown Princess?"

At this moment, Wei Changying thought of Song Zaishui. Mrs. Liu was not much better than Song Zaishui when Song Zaishui was at Duke Jingping mansion. Mrs. Liu smiled reluctantly, “Maternal grandmother, you are right.”

Fortunately, Old Madam Deng was not so confused as Wei Chang'e. Old Madam Deng knew that the Crown Prince was not reliable, and the parents who really loved their daughters would not be willing to send their daughters there. What's more, seeing that Mrs. Liu's expression was so bad now, Old Madam Deng comforted her, "I have heard that your cousin is gentle, but you are afraid that she will not be able to deal with the women who have children after she marries into the Eastern Palace, isn't it? Life is life. Besides, the Empress is wise, and she will certainly not stand by and see those mean women be unruly."

Mrs. Liu was relieved after hearing that Old Madam Deng didn't congratulate her on becoming the cousin of the Crown Princess. Since the Liu Family had a Crown Princess, it was reasonable to mention that. Old Madam Deng was very considerate by saying so.

So Mrs. Liu respectfully said, "Maternal grandmother, you are right," Then she said, "I have been upset about this for a few days, and now I feel relieved by your words."

Madam Su smiled and said, "I know you have been worried about it for the last few days. As for comforting people, I think it might as well bring you back to see your maternal grandmother. If people are in trouble, your maternal grandmother can always help them solve it."

Old Madam Deng smiled and pretended to be annoyed with her, "I'm old, but you still tease me."

"Mother is healthy, and you are not old at all!" Madam Su smiled, "I am still looking forward to always coming back to serve you."

Old Madam Deng was about to speak, and then Madam Qian walked in from the outside without greeting, crossing the threshold, saying in a stagy manner, "Oh, it's lively here."

"First sister-in-law is here." As soon as she heard Madam Qian's words, Madam Su knew that she was not very happy. Madam Su sneered secretly, but she still cared about the etiquette, so she hurriedly brought her daughters-in-law to greet her. Madam Qian waved her hand, telling them to feel free, "Today is not a festival, but how come you return with your daughters-in-law?"

Madam Su was about to speak, but Madam Qian answered by herself, "Oh, I remember. Is today Yuwu's birthday?" She showed apologetic expression and said to Madam Su, "Last time is Yuliang's birthday, but I didn't see you come back. I think that you are not partial, so do you come back for another reason?"

Madam Su was a little angry, but in front of her mother and daughters-in-law, she could not quarrel with her sister-in-law. Besides, she came back to say it clear with her father Su Pingzhan that she did not mean to interfere with her maternal family's affairs, let alone she was provoked by Shen Xuan to instigate disharmony between her brothers. Now, if she had quarreled with her sister-in-law before she had seen her father Su Pingzhan, she would have lost her confidence.

Madam Su was Su Pingzhan's lineal daughter, and her biological mother, Old Madam Deng was still there. But the woman who married outside was like the water thrown out. Su Pingzhan couldn't override the family even if he loved his daughter. Madam Su knew this very well. In order to avoid having trouble with her maternal family, she had to bear it at this moment and said, "Exactly as sister-in-law said. I came here this time mainly to see my father and mother."

Madam Qian smiled and said, "I know. You have always been fair. Besides, Yuliang is two months older than Yuwu. According to the so-called respect for seniority, you should have been partial towards Yuliang." She stated that Madam Su should be biased towards Su Yuliang, but first of all, she mentioned the respect for seniority to refer to the eldest branch and the third branch.

Madam Su said blandly, "It's a coincidence. The family has just finished Canghui's marriage, and people can have a rest, so I want to come back to have a look today. In terms of Yuliang's birthday this year, Cangfeng and Changying just got married then, and the family was so busy that even the daughters-in-law can’t spare time, let alone for me to come back and congratulate Yuliang personally. If you think I’m negligent, you can punish me as you will."

The saying of Old Madam Deng being a kind person was to flatter. Old Madam Deng did not respond very quickly. It was only now that the daughter-in-law and her daughter were fighting, she realized and hurriedly said, "They are all children, who have birthdays every year. And it’s not the crowning ceremony, and it’s not worth to argue between lineal aunts. Man'er is here to visit your father and me. The first daughter-in-law, you’re not the one who can’t tolerate the sisters-in-law come back. Why do you have so many words today?"

Although Madam Qian was not very afraid of her mother-in-law, she dared not disobey Old Madam Deng very much on the scene. She smiled obsequiously and said, "Mother, how can I be like that? It's just that I haven't seen the sister-in-law for many days, and I am so happy when I see her that I joked with her. But I didn’t make the sister-in-law laugh but make her and mother annoy me. I am too stupid."

Hearing that, Old Madam Deng smiled, "If you are kidding, you should say something interesting. Yuliang and Yuwu are always beside us, so why do you mention them?"

Madam Su didn't want to argue with this sister-in-low, nor was she patient to perfuse her, so she turned the subject off and said, "Is there any letter from the second sister recently?"

So Old Madam Deng began to talk about her daughter of a concubine who wrote a letter not long ago. When Madam Qian saw this, a trace of annoyance flashed in her eyes. She didn't want to leave, but she was unhappy to stay, so she smiled at Mrs. Liu and said, "I haven't congratulated you yet. Your cousin is now the Crown Princess!"

Mrs. Liu was annoyed, but she had to answer, "This is the blessing of His Majesty."

"That child is pitiful. She lost her mother at a young age. Fortunately, she has good luck, and now she will be married to royalty and have a great future ahead!" said Madam Qian carelessly. Mrs. Liu wished to stand up and leave, thinking, "How does the first aunt always pick something I don't want to hear?" However, she didn't dare to be rude in front of the elders, so Mrs. Liu tolerated and wondered if Madam Qian was doing so because Madam Su ignored her, so she deliberately vented her annoyance on her?

Wei Changying secretly rejoiced that Song Zaishui had escaped from the marriage; otherwise, Wei Changying would have been the one whom Madam Qian said these words to now. If your intimate sister were about to jump into the fire pit, but your first aunt were still congratulating you, how aggrieved would it be? When she was fortunate about that, Madam Qian and Mrs. Liu did not forget her after they said for a while and then told her, "I heard that Cangfeng took you to Spring Grass Lake a few days before?"

"The first aunt, you are right," said Wei Changying respectfully and vigilantly.

Madam Qian hummed and said, "It seems that you have met Gu Naizheng? This man has a weird temperament and disagreeable. But he is Yuli's fiancé and they will get married this year. Did you offend him? If so, it will harm Yuli!"

It was the Wei Changying’s turn to be speechless. She was thinking about forgetting the horrible fact that Gu Naizheng would be her brother-in-law and that she might frequently contact him in the future, but why this first aunt always said what the younger generations didn't like?

Thanks to Madam Qian coming late, Wei Changying perfunctorily answered when Su Yuwu came back from work and came over to greet Old Madam Deng.